Kids, floats, politicians make parade

PORTAGE | Phillip Hernandez jumped up and down as the Portage High School band marched by playing "God Bless America."

Local Mexican dancers perform in D.C.

CHICAGO | A taste of Mexican culture and the president's adopted hometown was slated to grace the White House during Fourth of July festivities, days after President Barack Obama spoke to the nation about the need for immigration reform.

On your mark, turtles...

CHESTERTON | For Amanda Moore, the annual Turtle Derby, sponsored by the Chesterton Lions Club, is a family tradition.

Smaller celebration for small town

HEBRON | A morning parade was followed by daylong schedule of events, including a turtle race, a soapbox derby, a beanbag tournament, bingo, live music and kids games. Hebron High School sponsored a dunk tank, while the high school's athletic boosters served pulled pork sandwiches.

Red, white and the blues

CALUMET CITY | Bob Grayson is a fan of blues music who thinks Ronnie Baker Brooks is one of the best young performers of the genre today.

It's still a blast

VALPARAISO | Dressed in red, white and blue, and Happy Meals in hand, Lucy Baxter, 3, and Liam Baxter, 5, made their way Sunday evening to the Thomas Jefferson Middle School parking lot for the city of Valparaiso Fourth of July Blast.

Welcome, new Americans

HAMMOND | Burgers sizzled on grills. Children whooped on swing sets. Firecrackers snapped, crackled and pop-pop-POPPED. For 48 immigrants taking the oath of U.S. citizenship Sunday at Harrison Park, the background racket was the soundtrack to the American dream.